Chapter 1 - The Weight of Paper
The luxury suite at St. Jude’s fell silent after the door clicked shut behind the attorney. Julian Sterling remained motionless, holding the pristine bouquet of white roses that now felt like lead in his hands. The manila folder sat open on the edge of the bedside table, bearing bold black letters: PETITION FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE.
Bella did not raise her voice. She pulled the striped flannel blanket higher around the infant boy nestled against her chest. "Take the flowers with you, Julian," she said, her voice steady despite the physical exhaustion lining her face. "Hospital rooms get stuffy, and Leo needs fresh air."
"Leo?" Julian echoed, his jaw tightening. "You named him without me?"
"You weren't here," she replied evenly. "I labored for eighteen hours alone while your phone went straight to voicemail. I didn’t choose his name out of spite. I chose it because he needed an identity, and I was the only parent present to give him one."
Julian stepped forward, reaching out an unsteady hand toward his son’s tiny hand. Bella did not flinch, but her shoulders squared into an impenetrable shield. Julian froze, lowered his arm, and placed the flowers on an empty chair.
May you like
"I was closing the acquisition in Frankfurt," Julian said, his throat tight. "The private jet was grounded by weather. I moved mountains to be here, Bella."
"You move mountains for boardrooms, Julian," she said, looking past him to the rain streaking the glass. "You only visit me when the weather permits. Victoria will handle all communications. Please leave."
